Blount County Sheriff James Lee Berrong said a Sheriff's deputy was injured thisafternoon during a fight with a man he was attempting to serve a warrant on.

Deputy Eddie Nickerson is being treated in the emergency room at Blount MemorialHospital. During the fight, he received a broken ankle, a gash to his head, andexposure to chemical spray to his face. In addition, Deputy Nathan Paynereceived a needle prick during a frisk of the suspect, and is also being lookedat in the emergency room.

Two people are in custody. Joshua Dewayne Hackler, 26, of 103 Hollyhock Way,Friendsville, and Chessica Danielle Gayheart, 27, same address, are both being charged with aggravatedassault and resisting arrest. Hackler will also be charged with possession ofdrug paraphernalia. Bond amounts and court dates have not yet been set.

At around 2:30 this afternoon, Deputy Nickerson went to Hackler's address onHollyhock Way to serve a warrant on him. Hackler was located in a closet insidethe residence. When Deputy Nickerson attempted to take him into custody,Hackler resisted arrest and assaulted Deputy Nickerson. During the altercation,Deputy Nickerson's chemical spray was knocked out of its holster, and Hacklersprayed him in the face. Back-up units arrived and took Gayheart and Hacklerinto custody. When Deputy Payne was patting down Hackler, he received a needlestick to the finger from a used needle in Hackler's pocket.

Deputy Nickerson has served with the Sheriff's Office for four and a half years, andDeputy Payne has served for seven years. Both are patrolmen.